Tête-à-la-Baleine
is one of 3 French-speaking communities on the Lower North Shore.
Known as Whale Head by its few English-speaking residents, Tête-à-la-Baleine
was named after a whale-shaped island in the nearby Toutes-Îles
archipelago.

Jersey Islander Michael Kenty first bought the
trading post at Tête-à-la-Baleine from the bankrupt
Labrador Company in the early 1820s. Other settlers from the Jersey
Islands, Quebec City and the south shore of the St. Lawrence River
later joined him. In the 19th century, families lived on the islands
year-round.

In
1895, they built a chapel on centrally located Providence Island.
Gradually, many began spending winters on the mainland to be closer
to sources of wood and game. Today, many residents still move from
the mainland to the islands every summer. The community maintains
a tradition of producing sealskin crafts.

WHAT
TO SEE

Providence Island
and Interpretation Centre: Providence Island
is located just southeast of the community of Tête-à-la-Baleine,
and is accessible by organized boat tours during the summer
season. The island’s main attraction is its chapel.
First established in 1895, it is the oldest chapel on the Lower
North Shore. You can visit the chapel and the Providence
Island Interpretation Centre housed within it.

Providence Island

The Centre interprets the history of the chapel
as well as of the Tête-à-la-Baleine archipelago.
On the island, you can also see vestiges of a seal foundry used
for rendering blubber into oil, and traditional island fishing
homes. The old presbytery is now an inn featuring typical francophone
cuisine from the area. The Providence Island Interpretation Centre
is open during the summer season to coincide with the arrival
of the Nordik Express, or upon request.

Jos Hébert
Museum: Located on Île de la Passenear
Tête-à-la-Baleine, this museum is a replica of
local legend Joseph Hébert’s last house. In 1879,
Hébert became the first mail carrier on the Lower North
Shore, delivering news by dogsled to its remote villages.
The site pays tribute to Hébert’s legacy and versatile
character. It also interprets the distinctive “islander”
way of life and traditions from residents of the islands of
Tête-à-la-Baleine.

Open during the summer season to coincide with the arrival of
the Nordik Express, or upon request.

Morne André,
Morne Perdu, Île Pierrot and the Grand Écart Highland
Trails: These short marked walking trails take you
along the hills surrounding the community. They are all
accessible from the road with the exception of the Île
Pierrot trail, which begins on an island that is part of a local
boat tour. Look-out points provide picturesque views of
the outer islands and opportunities to observe seabirds and
marine life. There are interpretation panels along the trails.

Boat tours to outer
islands: A local boat tour operator can take you to
the various islands and historic sites that make up the Tête-à-la-Baleine
archipelago. Visit Providence Island, the old chapel and interpretation
centre, the Jos Hébert Museum on Île de la Passe,
Kenty Island, and other outer islands.